Thanks to an incredible lap, Max Verstappen will start the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday. The Dutchman outperformed Oscar Piastri and George Russell in Saturday’s qualifying. Lando Norris was a negative standout: he crashed hard into the wall in Q3 and will therefore only start in tenth place.
Q1: Verstappen Shakes Up McLaren
It’s almost a given that McLaren will take the one-two in this qualifying session. That’s the thought many drivers have as they get into their cars, but not all: Max Verstappen shows why he’s in a league of his own. He finishes Q1 as the fastest man on the field. The margin to McLaren is minimal, but it’s there. Could Verstappen be competing for pole position at the end of the session after all?
Q1 Dropouts: Stroll, Doohan, Hülkenberg, Ocon, and Bortoleto
Q2: Minimal Differences, Hamilton Escapes
It’s incredibly tense in Jeddah, as the margins are small: the top 10 in Q2 are within seven-tenths of a second. Verstappen is fast again, but hits the kerbstones hard in turn 4-5 in the first run, requiring a floor check. In run 2, the car seems to be fine, as he positions himself between Norris and Piastri. Things don’t go as well for Lewis Hamilton, but the seven-time world champion narrowly saves his skin: tenth.
Q2 Dropouts: Albon, Lawson, Alonso, Hadjar, and Bearman.
Q3: Norris Hits the Wall, Verstappen Takes Pole
As Piastri sets the first time in Q3, teammate Norris makes a mistake. In turns 4 and 5, the British McLaren driver goes hard over the kerbstones, loses control of the car, and hits the wall hard with the side of the vehicle. It’s the end of the session for Norris, red flag, and he’ll start P10 or from the pit lane on Sunday.
After the session resumes, a fantastic battle unfolds between Piastri, Russell, and Verstappen. And just like in Japan, it’s the latter who takes the pole position. A phenomenal lap earns him P1 on the grid for Sunday in Jeddah.
